Photo Credit: Michigan Athletics — ReliaQuest Bowl — Michigan vs. Alabama
Nebraska vs. Michigan: A blue blood clash set to open up Big Ten play.
Will it be a nail-biting thriller like 2021, or will it be a Wolverine blowout win similar to 2023? Either way, Michigan will be without head coach Sherrone Moore due to a two-game suspension from the sign-stealing fiasco.
From the five-star quarterback duel to the absence of a head coach, this CBS-televised contest will have the entire country glued to the key storylines.
Here’s a look at the Wolverines’ top projected skill-position players:
QB: Bryce Underwood
Five-star true freshman Bryce Underwood will likely be Michigan’s No. 1 quarterback. Yes, he turns only 18 years old in August and will be starting in the Big Ten. Yet Underwood has the talent to tear up the Blackshirts if they’re not locked in.
Nebraska must look to rattle Underwood with its pass rush, similar to how Illinois flustered Dylan Raiola in the second half of the Huskers’ 31-24 loss last season.
It’s a bonus for the Big Red that Underwood will not have his head coach on the sidelines.
RBs: Jordan Marshall, Justice Haynes
Jordan Marshall enters his second season in Ann Arbor, set to be the main bell cow. The 5-foot-11, 210-pound running back took the reins in the ReliaQuest Bowl, rushing for 100 yards in Michigan’s 19-13 victory over Alabama. He’s not the only one to cause concern.
The Wolverines didn’t just take down the Crimson Tide in January; they also snagged one of Alabama’s top tailbacks. Justice Haynes started six games for the Crimson Tide last season, racking up 448 yards on the ground with seven touchdowns.
With a similar size to Marshall, the 5-foot-11, 205-pound running back is built to run between the Big Ten lines of scrimmage. And with Nebraska utilizing a young defensive line room, avoiding getting pushed around will be paramount.
WRs: Donaven McCulley, Semaj Morgan, Andrew Marsh
Indiana transfer Donaven McCulley spent 2021-2024 in Bloomington, starting his career as a quarterback before switching to wideout. The graduate senior’s best statistical season came in 2023, when he had 644 yards on 48 receptions.
Last season, McCulley left the Hoosiers after four games with minimal action to retain his redshirt. He’s produced, but clearly Indiana head coach Curt Cignetti didn’t think he was a fit.
Although McCulley has had an up-and-down collegiate career, his size could create a mismatch. With Underwood’s strong arm and McCulley’s 6-foot-5 frame, the Blackshirts’ secondary better be prepared for the 50-50 ball.
Michigan’s top returning wideout? Ironically, it was Tyler Morris, who has since transferred to Indiana. Yet Morris didn’t put up wild numbers with only 248 receiving yards last season as a Wolverine, highlighting how unproductive Michigan’s receiving core was.
Semaj Morgan is the one to watch. Morgan was behind Morris last season, only having 139 yards on 27 receptions, but he could be poised for a breakthrough season. Another is four-star true freshman Andrew Marsh. The 2025 top 200 recruit racked up over 3,500 receiving yards in high school. We’ve seen it done by a true freshman before with Ohio State’s Jeremiah Smith, so don’t be surprised if Marsh is ready for the Big Ten.
Final analysis
Could Underwood shine against the Big Red? Absolutely. He was a five-star for a reason. But the main objective for the Huskers is simple: stop the run.
With the Wolverines without their head coach in Lincoln, anticipate a heavy dose of ground-and-pound to attack Cameron Lenhardt, Elijah Jeudy, Riley Van Poppel and the rest of the Blackshirts.
Nebraska’s home-field advantage gives it a slight edge, but it must win the line of scrimmage to start 1-0 in conference play.
Bobby Schneider is a sports journalist who analyzes Nebraska football and baseball. Follow him on X @bschneider33 for more coverage.